?Anything that accelerates the delivery of the West Coast Main Line upgrade project is good news,? a spokesman said.

?We will do everything we can to minimise the inconvenience and to provide our customers with a seamless journey.

Warren Bardley, Liverpool council's executive member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: "Something has got to be done to the West Coast mailine and of course we welcome proposals to improve the service. It may well be a question of people gritting their teeth."

Steve Pearse, policy specialist for Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, said: "The cost of the works has become so expensive and the last thing anyone wants is more delays.

"We want the long-term benefit of a faster service but delays for passengers and freight are bad for business in the short-term."